How to be more productive
We now live in a knowledge economy. The money we earn is no longer directly proportional to the time we spend working. We earn money through our knowledge, our concentration, and energy. Achieving productivity means using those effectively. So how can you become more productive?
Mental Energy
Our brain is a highly complex organ and highest maintenance too. It uses thrice the oxygen muscles use. And thus, gets fatigued over time.
Your focus, concentration, and mental energy are directly linked to the condition of your brain. The better you take care of your brain, the more likely you are to become more productive. Can you ever be productive with a tired brain?
Sleep
Just like how muscles create lactic acid as a by-product when doing strenuous exercise, your brain too forms waste products due to a metabolic reaction taking place inside it.
When you sleep, your brain cells shrink, allowing fluids to wash it away with ease. Sleeping is how the brain stays healthy.
Therefore, if you want to be more productive and less burden to your brain, sleep at least 7hrs a day. It might not seem apparent, but you save hours by being more productive after a good night's sleep rather than working till midnight half-asleep.
Alcohol and Toxic substances
You are better off without alcohol or cigarettes. They are harmful to your brain and body. All they do is give you a short time of pleasure and an extended time of suffering. They do so by jeopardizing the neurotransmitters in your brain and puts a lot of strain on your liver.
Coffee too is bad if drank at the wrong times. Coffee ‘borrows’ energy from your future self. To be specific, caffeine is the one responsible. Drink coffee only when you feel drained and at least 8 hrs before sleep(of course, the effects of coffee vary from person to person).
In the long term, giving it up is better for you(except coffee, as long as it is drunk thoughtfully). In 3 years from now, would you rather see yourself sober and more productive, or suffering without even trying?
Moderation
Anything in excess is harmful. If you love drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or eating junk food, continue to do so. Just be moderate when doing it.
Healthy Food
You are what you eat. The same applies to your brain. A healthier diet will make you stronger, sharper, and faster.
These benefits will help you achieve your dreams and goal quicker. Junk foods aren’t worth the price.
Regular Exercise
Last but not least, exercise regularly. Any exercise that makes your heart beat faster can shape up your brain. A faster and stronger heart means a healthier body and more blood flowing to the brain. More blood to the brain means a healthier brain and a clearer mind, leading to a prolonged period of productivity.
Takeaway: Now you know what to do to have a healthier brain. It is up to you if you want to try or not.
Prioritizing Tasks
One thing I want to clear between us is that not all tasks are equal.
The human brain can at a maximum store 7–10 items of information(varies between people). Three is the number of items the brain loves remembering. So to be more productive, we can follow the rule of 3.
It is easier to remember your 3 most important tasks to finish at the end of the day than recalling multiple tasks throughout the day, overwhelming your mind.
The idea is to take a piece of paper. Jot down all the tasks you want to accomplish by the end of the day. Now… be ruthless. Cut out anything that is not a high impact task.
Ask yourself, is this worth the time? Does it give me a lot of yields? Is it crucial in the first place? Can I live without doing it for today?
Once you have finished, you should have a smaller, more manageable, list to go through. Now, decide which ones to prioritise for the day and schedule them for the rest of the week.
Prime Time
There are times when we feel drained and times we feel unstoppable. Doing intensive tasks when you feel invincible and easy ones when drained is crucial for productivity.
For a week, track how you feel during the day and night. Make a mini graph showing the fluctuations in your energy. Once you know when is your Prime Time(invincibility mode), plan tasks based on that.
Takeaway: Your tasks should be easier to manage now. Remember, be ruthless.
Procrastination
We all procrastinate. It is human to procrastinate. If you procrastinate, it is because the task is not pleasant, mundane, and anything but attractive. That is why your brain tells you to procrastinate.
Procrastination happens when the limbic system of the brain takes precedence. The limbic system is the ‘emotional’ part of the brain. It is what makes you procrastinate. How do you not procrastinate?
It starts with the prefrontal cortex. The ‘logical’ part of the brain. To help it dominate the limbic system, create a list of everything you procrastinate on or like to procrastinate. And beside it, you will write the cost/consequences of putting it off.
Whenever you feel the urge to procrastinate, try going through the list and choose something easy to start with(notice I did not say to get done with). Once you start doing it, little by little, you get a bit of work done and your prefrontal cortex starts taking over. You will find your work easier to deal with.
Slowly, but surely, you will become productive even when procrastinating.
Takeaway: At least an idea on how to deal with procrastination.
Conclusion
To be more productive, you need a good night's sleep, moderate/no intake of harmful substances, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. Follow the rule of 3 for choosing high yielding tasks. And before you know it, you will get more done in less time and still have the energy to spare.
Thanks for reading my story!
